January 23/09 13:45 pm - Cycling News of the World

Posted by Editoress on 01/23/09

When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells

Cyclists short-changedThe city says this stretch of No. 3 Road is too narrow to accommodate cars, pedestrians and cyclists, so as usual it's the cyclists who are edged out. There appears to be enough room, however, for a centre median lined with streetlights and trees.Read more at Richmond News

City applies lipstick to 'monstrosity'A $24-million facelift for No. 3 Road could be shaping up to be a Michael Jackson job.

A raised cycling path that was supposed to run the length of No. 3 Road parallel to the Canada Line will stop short at the southern terminus of the Canada Line, leaving cyclists approaching from the south facing a detour, city councillors learned Wednesday.Read more at Richmond News

Cycling is the new golf, with or without clubsResplendent in the white, black and blue road-riding colours of the Sydney Cycling Club, the former president James "Doc" Guthrie steps off his $8000 bike, surveys the Adelaide cityscape and smiles.

"You know, the beauty of this place is that here people wave their hands at you; in Sydney they shake their fists. Here people throw you kisses; in Sydney they hurl abuse," says Guthrie, 56, a university professor. Read more at Herald

Landis Can't Wait to Race AgainFloyd Landis is coming back to cycling, and says his sport will be better for it.

Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France victory following a doping scandal and protracted fight in courts around the world. He said Thursday he feels "like a kid again" knowing that his two-year ban from cycling will end next week.

"In my mind, it's already behind me," Landis said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I'm not dwelling on that at all."Read more at International Herald Tribune

Armstrong Backs Landis Comeback Lance Armstrong is prepared to "forgive and forget" and welcome the shamed 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis back to cycling when his former team-mate marks the end of a two-year doping ban in the Tour of California in February. Read more at Buzzle.com

Armstrong sees others excel at Tour Down UnderLance Armstrong never came to the Tour Down Under to win it. He came to test his racing mettle and discover what rhythms in his body have changed after being away from road race competition for almost three years.

Before Friday's fourth stage, one that rolled through South Australia's well-regarded wine country in the Barossa Valley, Armstrong said he harbored no hidden agenda, had no plan to bust out some hidden moves and jump to the front of the peloton.Read more at LA Times

Wheel has turned, now even France embraces new LanceAt first it appeared not much had changed about Lance Armstrong. His familiar accoutrements have never been far away -- his bike, Blackberry and bodyguards.

And when he slipped into Adelaide a few days before his comeback in the Tour Down Under, amid secrecy and heavy security, it appeared we were to be treated to more of the same from a champion admired by many but loved by few.

Throughout a glittering career that brought him a record seven Tour de France victories, Armstong was aloof. On the bike, he was unsmiling and focused; in his public appearances he was little more than polite and often defensive -- generally in the face of doping allegations.

But within hours of his arrival in Adelaide a new Armstrong had emerged. The new Lance was happy to joke with journalists, sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans and greet politicians. He was happy to invite photographers into his rented Adelaide villa and spoke at length about everything from training rides and the Adelaide weather to his campaign to promote cancer awareness.

He has even won over the sceptical French press. Read more at The Australian

UCI head welcomes Armstrong's comebackThe head of cycling's world governing body has welcomed Lance Armstrong's return to the sport but doubts he can win an eighth Tour de France."The comeback is excellent for the sport,Â»"Pat McQuaid said Friday in Berlin, where he attended a six-day race.

"There were only positive stories about Lance on Monday," McQuaid said of Armstrong's start at the Tour Down Under in Australia.Read more at www.pr-inside.com

Former Olympian Stresses Importance of Developing the Sport of CyclingSince Jamaica first entered the Olympics in 1948 it has produced numerous medalists, most of whom have participated in track and field.

Herb McKenley, Dr. Arthur Wint, Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell and Usain Bolt are some of the Jamaicans in this exclusive group.

However there is also the often overlooked George Weller, who, at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia (capital of the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)), gave Jamaica its only non-track and field medal at the Olympics.Read more at JIS

Local Authorities Invited To Bid For Cycle Training Â£MillionsAll 116 Local Authorities in England are invited to bid for a slice of Cycling England's Â£160 million investment package to help fund on-road cycle training for children to Level Two of the National Standard.

Bids â€“ for between Â£10,000 and Â£250,000 â€“ must be submitted by Friday, February 13 this year.Read more at Cycling Weekly